In a world of mass production and cookie-cutter recognition, a custom award can make all the difference. Whether it’s honoring an employee’s years of service, celebrating a team’s hard-earned victory, or recognizing a community leader’s lasting impact, the design and detail of the award can speak louder than the words that accompany it.
Custom awards don’t just acknowledge performance—they celebrate identity. From the material and shape to the engraved message and company logo, a thoughtfully crafted award becomes a personal keepsake, not just a generic trophy.
In Chicago, a city built on pride, resilience, and craftsmanship, you’ll find a wide range of award shops and engravers who understand that recognition is both an art and a business. And with so many local options, you don’t have to settle for templates or long shipping delays from out-of-state vendors. The best custom award shops in the Chicago area combine quality materials, fast turnaround, and genuine care, right in your backyard.
What to Look for in a Custom Award Provider
Not all award shops are created equal. If you’re investing in a custom piece, here are the things that matter most when choosing a local provider:
1. Full Customization
A great custom award is more than just slapping a name on a base. The best providers let you choose everything from size, shape, and material to font styles and logo placement. Some can even help you design an award from scratch based on your company or event theme.
2. Material Options
Top-tier shops offer a range of materials, crystal for elegance, acrylic for modern flair, wood for warmth, and metal for sleek finishes. Depending on your budget and the impression you want to make, material matters.
3. In-House Design Support
Not everyone knows how to lay out an award or prep a logo for engraving. Shops with in-house designers can walk you through your options, provide proofs, and make sure your vision comes to life correctly.
4. Fast Turnaround
Need your awards in a week? That’s where local businesses shine. Many shops in Chicago offer fast production without sacrificing quality, especially important for corporate events, sports banquets, or school ceremonies with tight timelines.
5. Strong Communication
Custom orders require collaboration. The best local providers stay responsive, ask the right questions, and don’t leave you guessing on progress. You’ll know what you’re getting and when.
6. Reputation & Reviews
Check out online reviews and ask for samples or past work. Local reputation still carries weight in Chicago, especially in industries like this where referrals drive business.
Top Custom Award Providers in Chicago, IL
Let’s look at some of the best shops in the area that are trusted for their craftsmanship, service, and custom capabilities.
- Viking Awards – Best Overall for Customization and Service
📍 10405 W Cermak Rd, Westchester, IL 60154
🌐 viking-awards.com
Viking Awards has earned its place as a go-to for custom awards across Chicagoland. Their shop handles everything from intricate 3D crystal awards to playful fantasy football trophies and polished executive plaques.
What sets Viking apart is its in-house production and hands-on approach. Their designers will help you choose from dozens of layouts, fonts, and shapes—or start from scratch. From youth sports medals to high-end corporate glass awards, Viking makes every order feel like a priority, whether you’re ordering one piece or one hundred.
- Chicago Trophy & Awards International
📍 4019 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
🌐 chicagotrophy.com
With over 60 years in the business, this shop is known for delivering quality at scale. Chicago Trophy works with schools, sports leagues, and corporations all over the country, but they’re deeply rooted in local service.
Their catalog includes everything from simple medals to etched crystal awards and custom castings. While their designs lean traditional, the volume and professionalism make them a strong option for large institutions and city-wide events.
- A & M Trophy Co.
📍 4856 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60632
🌐 amtrophyco.com
A & M Trophy is a small, family-run operation known for its approachable service and quick turnaround. They’re particularly popular with local schools and youth sports leagues, thanks to their affordability and willingness to accommodate small, last-minute orders.
Customization options include engraved plaques, custom shapes, resin figures, and acrylics. They also specialize in Spanish-language engraving—a unique and thoughtful touch in a diverse city like Chicago.
- Martin Awards (Chicago Division)
📍 Online only, serving Chicago area
🌐 martinawards.com
While not physically based in the city, Martin Awards has a strong presence in Chicago through fast shipping and advanced design tools. They’re one of the best options for more complex requests like full-color printing, sandblasting, and layered materials.
What stands out is their online configurator—you can build your design in real time and get a proof instantly. For tech-savvy teams or those working remotely, this can save time and back-and-forth.
5. Awards and Fine Gifts by Champion
📍 300 E Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559
🌐 championawardsonline.com
Champion Awards serves both the business and personal gifting markets, which makes them an excellent choice for custom awards that feel more premium. In addition to standard glass and acrylic awards, they offer custom engraving on clocks, pens, wine sets, and other upscale gifts that work beautifully as corporate appreciation awards or retirement keepsakes.
They’re particularly helpful for HR professionals and executive assistants looking to elevate annual recognition events without breaking the budget. While some items are premade, Champion offers full personalization, including custom logos, messages, and mixed-material awards.
- Crown Trophy of Chicago
📍 2709 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
🌐 crowntrophy.com
A national chain with a strong local footprint, Crown Trophy of Chicago brings consistency, accessibility, and convenience to the custom award space. Their North Side location is trusted by schools, youth leagues, and local businesses for fast, affordable options—especially for events with a recurring format like end-of-season banquets or quarterly sales recognitions.
You won’t find ultra-premium pieces here, but Crown Trophy excels in volume and reliable production. Their lineup includes custom resin trophies, sports figurines, engraved medals, and standard plaques—all customizable with your organization’s logo or colors.
Popular Types of Custom Awards in Chicago
Now that we’ve covered where to get your custom awards, let’s explore what kind of awards people in Chicago are ordering most—and how to choose the right one for your occasion.
1. Crystal Awards
These sleek, transparent awards are ideal for high-end corporate recognition, executive gifts, or milestone celebrations. They photograph well, feel weighty in the hand, and convey elegance without saying a word.
Some shops even offer 3D laser etching for logos or images inside the crystal block—a high-tech touch for modern companies.
2. Acrylic Awards
Acrylic is the middle ground between elegance and economy. It’s shatter-resistant, colorful, and endlessly customizable. Acrylic is often used for marketing awards, youth events, and school recognitions.
You can shape it into anything—flames, stars, hexagons, or cityscapes—which makes it a creative canvas for Chicago-themed awards.
3. Custom Resin Trophies
These are great for themed events or novelty awards. Whether it’s a fantasy football championship or a chili cook-off, resin allows for sculpted elements like sports figures, mascots, or humorous characters.
Resin awards are often used in youth leagues, team-building events, or fun internal competitions within companies.
4. Engraved Plaques
A classic choice. Whether it’s walnut, cherry, or glass, a plaque with a personalized plate still holds emotional weight—especially for retirements, volunteer honors, or “employee of the year” recognitions.
Many shops offer photo plaques, perpetual plaques (with multiple names), or multi-layered ones with added texture and design.
5. 3D Laser Awards
These are growing in popularity, especially for tech companies or innovative brands. A 3D laser-engraved cube or obelisk can hold your logo, a tagline, or even a full image suspended within. It’s futuristic and minimal—perfect for modern branding.
Creative Custom Award Categories to Consider
One of the best parts about going custom is that you’re not limited to traditional categories. Especially in Chicago, where local pride and creativity are abundant, organizations are getting more personal and playful with their awards.
Here are a few memorable ideas:
- The Lakefront Legend – for the employee who always goes the extra mile
- The Deep Dish MVP – perfect for the team player everyone relies on
- The Wrigley Warrior – for sales reps who never quit, win or lose
- The Loop Leader – a fitting name for a downtown-based achievement award
- The 606 Star – great for creative fields or collaborative success
- The Bean Counter (with Love) – a funny but fitting nod to financial teams
- Midwest Hustler Award – for the team member with tireless work ethic
Naming your awards creatively adds personality to your event and ensures the recipient remembers it for years—not just the achievement, but the smile it brought.
Why Buy Local in Chicago for Custom Awards
Ordering from a local shop in Chicago isn’t just about proximity—it’s about partnership. Local providers understand the nuances of Midwest culture, are more willing to work with you on short deadlines, and offer service that feels like you’re dealing with a neighbor, not a chatbot.
You’ll also support a small business, cut down on shipping delays, and often get better quality control.
And if something goes wrong? You’re one phone call or a short drive away from a solution—not stuck in an email thread waiting for a replacement to ship from across the country.
Final Thoughts
The right custom award does more than recognize—it resonates. And in a city like Chicago, where pride runs deep and achievement is hard-earned, your awards should reflect that same level of meaning and craftsmanship.
Whether you’re planning a black-tie gala for corporate giants or a casual luncheon for a local nonprofit, one thing is clear: recognition done right creates lasting impact.
So the next time you’re ordering awards, skip the mass-market catalog. Think local. Think meaningful. Think custom.
